Former Premier League Player Andros Townsend Run Over by Pitch Roller in Thailand
Ex-England winger Andros Townsend narrowly avoided serious injury when he was struck by a pitch rolling machine during a half-time warm-up.
Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend sustained a bizarre incident while warming up for a match in Thailand, when he was run over by a pitch rolling machine.
Townsend, 35, is currently playing for PT Prachuap in Thailand after joining the club in the summer transfer window. The ex-England international, who also had a stint as a pundit for ITV during the recent World Cup, was warming up during the half-time break on Saturday when the incident occurred.
Footage of the event shows the roller struggling to maintain control. Townsend, who was not looking in the direction of the machine, kicked a ball away as the roller approached. The vehicle then made contact with Townsend, causing him to fall to the ground as it went over his legs and lower body.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, Townsend was able to walk away unharmed. He later came on as a substitute in his team's 3-0 victory and shared a video of the event on his Instagram page.
PT Prachuap, based in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, approximately 150 miles south of Bangkok, had inadvertently announced Townsend's arrival two weeks prior to his official signing by inquiring about a three-bedroom house for him.
Last season, Townsend made 29 appearances for Kanchanaburi Power, scoring three goals. His career has included spells at clubs such as Tottenham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Everton. His move to Thailand followed a brief period with Turkish side Antalyaspor.
During his time working as a co-commentator for ITV at the World Cup, Townsend gained attention for his unconventional diet, which notably includes consuming raw steak, sardines, and boiled eggs. He stated that his aim was to maintain his health while traveling and staying in hotels, especially when lacking cooking facilities and facing temptations of fast food. Townsend has claimed to have followed a raw meat diet for the past four years, including during his time in the Premier League when he had access to extensive dietary support.